Fredericksburg, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Fredericksburg National Cemetery

The Battle of Fredericksburg

— Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park —

Fredericksburg National Cemetery Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, May 25, 2008

1. Fredericksburg National Cemetery Marker

Inscription. Approximately 20,000 soldiers died in this region during the Civil War, their remains scattered throughout the countryside in shallow, often unmarked, graves. In 1865 Congress established Fredericksburg National Cemetery as a final resting place for Union soldiers who died on area battlefields. Confederate soldiers were buried in cemeteries located at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Court House.

Work on Fredericksburg National Cemetery commenced in 1866 and was completed in 1869. Veterans erected two major monuments here in the late 19th century, and the remains of 300 veterans of later wars were interred before 1945, when the cemetery closed to new burials. Of the 15,300 men buried here, the identities of fewer than 3,000 are known.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients, and the National Cemeteries series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1865.

Location. 38° 17.627′ N, 77° 28.117′ W. Marker is in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Marker can be reached from Sunken Road, 0.1 miles north of Lafayette Boulevard (Virginia

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Highway 1), on the right when traveling south. Located on the Marye's Heights walking trail at the north entrance to the cemetery. The Sunken Road is closed to vehicle traffic. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg VA 22401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Willis Hill Cemetery (within shouting distance of this marker); 127th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (within shouting distance of this marker); Battered Buildings on Willis Hill (within shouting distance of this marker); Fredericksburg Battlefield (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park (about 300 feet away); Confederate Artillery (about 300 feet away); The Fifth Corps, Army of the Potomac (about 300 feet away); The Sunken Road (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

More about this marker. The main photo on the marker's right side shows Fredericksburg National Cemetery as it appeared about 1900. On the lower left are examples of the gravestones found in the cemetery. Rounded granite headstones mark the graves of identified Union soldiers. The graves of unknown soldiers are marked by a small square stone bearing two numbers. The top number identifies the plot; the bottom number identifies the number of soldiers buried in the plot.

This

Photographed By Brandon Fletcher, July 19, 2008

2. Fredericksburg National Cemetery Marker

Different angle

marker is duplicated at the south entrance to the cemetery.

Edward Hill-Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, March 20, 2000

3. Edward Hill-Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient

He is buried in Fredericksburg National Cemetery, grave 6640. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: HILL, EDWARD • Rank and organization: Captain, Company K, 1 6th Michigan Infantry • Place and date: At Cold Harbor, Va., 1 June 1864 • Entered service at: Detroit, Mich. • Date of issue: 4 December 1893 Citation: Led the brigade skirmish line in a desperate charge on the enemy's masked batteries to the muzzles of the guns, where he was severely wounded.

William Jones-Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, March 20, 2000

4. William Jones-Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient

He is buried in Fredericksburg National Cemetery, grave 2448. His Medal of Honor information and citation is: JONES, WILLIAM • Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company A, 73d New York Infantry • Place and date: At Spotsylvania, Va., 12 May 1864 • Entered service at: New York, N.Y. • Date of issue: 1 December 1864 Citation: Capture of flag of 65th Virginia Infantry (C.S.A.).

Marker at the Side Entrance to the Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, May 25, 2008

5. Marker at the Side Entrance to the Cemetery

Fredericksburg National Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, May 25, 2008

6. Fredericksburg National Cemetery

Unknown Soldiers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, May 25, 2008

7. Unknown Soldiers

The headstones of unknown soldier have numbers indicating the plot.

Unknown Grave At Fredericksburg National Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 17, 2016

8. Unknown Grave At Fredericksburg National Cemetery

Graves of the unknown are marked with a small stone bearing two numbers. The top number identifies the plot and the bottom number identifies the number of soldiers buried in the plot.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,185 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on July 26, 2015, by Brandon Fletcher of Chattanooga, Tennessee. 3, 4. submitted on April 1, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 5, 6, 7. submitted on July 2, 2008, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 8. submitted on February 15, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.